Synthesis of two naphthyl-containing homologous series of mesogenic ligands and the related metallomesogens containing Cu(II)

Two new naphthyl-containing homologous series of mesogenic ligands, the 4-n-alkoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene-2'-naphthylamines (series I) and 4(4'-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzylidene-2'-naphthylamines (series II), as well as the related metallomesogens of higher homologues containing a Cu(II) atom, have been synthesized. All the ligands and complexes were characterized by a combination of elemental analysis and standard spectroscopic methods. In series I, n-heptyloxy and n-octyloxy derivatives are non-mesogenic whereas the remaining higher members synthesized exhibit a monotropic nematic mesophase. In series II, all the members synthesized exhibit an enantiotropic nematic mesophase. All the metallomesogens of series I synthesized exhibit a monotropic smectic A mesophase, except for the n-octyloxy derivative, which is non-mesogenic, whereas metallomesogens of series II exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophases up to the n-tetradecyloxy derivatives; the n-tetradecyloxy and n-hexadecyloxy derivatives also exhibit smectic C mesophases. All the members of series II and their metallomesogens exhibit mesophases with wide temperature ranges and greater thermal stability as compared to series I and their metallomesogens, respectively. The mesomorphic properties of both the present series and their metallomesogens are compared with each other and with other structurally related series to evaluate the effect of the naphthalene moiety on mesomorphism.     

Novel chiral dimesogenic bidentate ligands and their Cu(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes

The synthesis and characterization of cholesterol-based dimesogenic bidentate ligands and their Cu(II) and Pd(II) metallomesogens are reported in detail. To understand structure-property relationships in these materials the terminal alkoxy chains and the central metal atom have been varied. Our studies reveal that chiral dimesogenic bidentate ligands with n -butyloxy chains exhibit smectic A (SmA), twist grain boundary and chiral nematic (N * ) mesophases while substitution with either n -decyloxy or 3,7-dimethyloctyloxy chains also show a ferroelectrically switchable chiral smectic C (SmC * ) mesophase. The metal complexes with n -butyloxy chains show only the SmA phase whereas higher chain length derivatives exhibit N * phase irrespective of the metal atom present. The ligands are thermally stable whereas their metal complexes, especially Pd(II) systems, seem to be heat sensitive. Spontaneous polarization, response time and tilt angle measurements have been carried out in the smectic C * phase of the two ligands.     

Novel chiral dimesogenic bidentate ligands and their Cu(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes

The synthesis and characterization of cholesterol-based dimesogenic bidentate ligands and their Cu(II) and Pd(II) metallomesogens are reported in detail. To understand structure-property relationships in these materials the terminal alkoxy chains and the central metal atom have been varied. Our studies reveal that chiral dimesogenic bidentate ligands with n-butyloxy chains exhibit smectic A (SmA), twist grain boundary and chiral nematic (N*) mesophases while substitution with either n -decyloxy or 3,7-dimethyloctyloxy chains also show a ferroelectrically switchable chiral smectic C (SmC*) mesophase. The metal complexes with n-butyloxy chains show only the SmA phase whereas higher chain length derivatives exhibit N* phase irrespective of the metal atom present. The ligands are thermally stable whereas their metal complexes, especially Pd(II) systems, seem to be heat sensitive. Spontaneous polarization, response time and tilt angle measurements have been carried out in the smectic C* phase of the two ligands.     

Metallomesogens based on platinum(II) complexes: synthesis, luminescence and polarized emission

Two series of heteroleptic cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes [(C(n)Oppy)Pt(acac) and (C(n)OFppy)Pt(acac)] have been prepared. Their liquid-crystal and optophysical properties were studied, in which C(n)Oppy is 2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-5-(alkoxymethyl)pyridine and C(n)OFppy is 2-(3-fluoro-4-alkoxyphenyl)-5-(alkoxymethyl)pyridine. Only the heteroleptic cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes (n = 12 and 16) exhibited enantiotropic mesophase transitions with smectic (S(m)) structure. Intense polarized luminescence with a maximum peak at 532 nm and a polarization ratio as high as 10.5 were obtained in an aligned polyimide film under opto-excitation at room temperature. This research work provides a simple approach to realize high-efficiency polarized emission by heteroleptic cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes.     

Hydrogen-bonded block mesogens derived from semiperfluorinated benzoic acids and the non-mesogenic 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene

Thermal properties of benzoic acids carrying one or two semiperfluorinated alkoxy tails on the aromatic core have been investigated in binary mixtures with the non-liquid crystalline bidirectional trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene. The hydrogen bonded complexes built from the complementary molecular species show a significantly enhanced mesophase stability compared with the fluorinated acids in their pure states. The mesophase morphologies of the complexes are governed mainly by the number of the partially fluorinated chains grafted to the acid component. Mixed systems comprising the one-chain acids exhibit a smectic C phase followed by a smectic A phase at more elevated temperatures. Incorporation of a second semiperfluorinated chain into the acid leads to the formation of columnar mesophases. These columnar phases of the H-bonded complexes should represent ribbon phases resulting from the collapse of the smectic layers.     

Synthesis and study of 4-(4'-n-alkoxybenzoyloxybenzoyl)-4'-n-butoxyanilides

Thirteen compounds with ester and amide linkages were synthesized and their mesogenic properties evaluated. Methyl to n-propyl derivatives exhibit nematic phases, n-butyl to n-decyl derivatives exhibit smectic and nematic mesophases, whereas n-dodecyl to n-octadecyl derivatives exhibit only smectic phases. All the smectic homologues exhibit smectic C phases. Middle members of the homologous series exhibit polymorphism of smectic mesophase. A plot of transition temperatures versus number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy chain reveals an odd-even effect for nematic-isotropic transition temperatures. Nematic-isotropic and smectic-cholesteric thermal stabilities of the prepared compounds (series I) are higher compared to those of previously reported compounds, series A, B and C. The results indicate that a simple reversal of a central linkage has a dramatic effect on the appearance of smectic mesophase in a homologous series. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, thin-layer chromatography and spectral data.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of naphth-2-yl 2-pyridylmethyl ketones and their copper (II) complexes

The synthesis, characterization and mesomorphic properties of a homologous series of 6-alkoxy naphth-2-yl 2-pyridylmethyl ketones and their copper(II) complexes are reported. All the ligands and their copper complexes, with exception of the lowest homologues, exhibit enantiotropic mesophases. According to textural observations, the ligands display nematic and smectic transitions depending on the length of the alkoxy chain on the pyridine moiety, while the mesogenic complexes show exclusively smectic transitions. In comparison with the phenyl analogues, stabilization of the mesophase and a greater tendency to smectic ordering through incorporation of the naphthyl group into the molecules is confirmed.     

New heteropolynuclear metallomesogens: copper(II), palladium(II), nickel(II) and oxovanadium(IV) chelates with [3]ferrocenophane‐containing Schiff's base and β‐aminovinylketone

New mesogenic heteropolynuclear complexes of Cu(II), Pd(II), Ni(II) and VO(IV) with the [3]ferrocenophane‐containing Schiff's base, and Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes with the [3]ferrocenophane‐containing β‐aminovinylketone have been synthesised. The obtained heterometallic mesogenes are identified by elemental analysis, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopies. Liquid crystalline properties are studied by thermal polarising optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Both ligands and heteropolynuclear complexes exhibit thermotropic nematic and smectic C mesophases in various temperature ranges except for the Ni(II) complex. Mesomorphism of the prepared complexes is correlated with the geometry of their central chelate core. Considerably broader mesophases and lower transition temperatures are achieved in the synthesised metallomesogens by using the alkylidene‐bridged ferrocene as a building unit.     

Coordinatively saturated cyclometallated Pt(IV) azobenzene complexes: synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour

The mesomorphic 4,4-bis[4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy]azobenzene dinuclear chloro-bridged cycloplatinated complex [(Azo)Pt(mu;-Cl)]2 (smectic C between 263 and 342 C) has been reacted with different chelating ligands, giving rise to a family of square-planar ortho-platinated derivatives, [(Azo)Pt(L)] (L = tropolonate, 8-hydroxyquinolinate and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro2,4-pentanedionate). Thermotropic mesomorphism is preserved for these mononuclear complexes which exhibit at least a nematic mesophase and transition temperatures lower by over 100° C than that of the corresponding dimeric precursor. Oxidative addition to the Pt(II) [(Azo)Pt(L)] species of electrophilic substrates such as I₂ or CH₃I eventually led to the corresponding octahedral [(Azo)Pt(L)(I )(X)] products. The introduction of two further ligands leads to Pt(IV) derivatives showing smectic and nematic mesophases for all L ligands. For the hexacoordinated [(Azo)Pt(L)(I)(CH₃)] complexes it has been verified that the oxidative addition of methyl iodide is a thermally reversible process, indicating that these species have potential applications as switchable systems.     

Smectic bimetallomesogens: synthesis, characterization and mesomorphic properties and the crystal structure of bis[N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-octanoylsalicylaldiminato]copper(II) complex

The synthesis, characterization and mesomorphic properties of copper(II), palladium(II), vanadyl(IV) and iron(III) chloride complexes derived from salicylaldimine structures are reported. The copper and palladium complexes exhibited smectic A phases, however vanadyl and iron chloride complexes showed crystalline phase. The palladium complexes have lower melting and clearing points, and a wider temperature range of mesophase. This lowering in clearing points between M = Pd and M = Cu analogues was attributed to the weaker core-core interaction between palladium centres within layers in the mesophase. The crystal and molecular structures of bis[N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-octanoylsalicylaldiminato]copper(II) were determined by means of X-ray analysis. This complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group p21/c, with a = 5.4908(23) A, b = 19.847(5) A, c = 16.636(4) A, beta = 96.87(3) degree, and Z = 2. The intramolecular separation of Cu-Cu atoms is 3.022(3)A. The structure shows that the molecular shape is nearly flat with two copper atoms lying 0.067(4)A above and below the plane of N1, O1a, O1 and O2 atoms.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of a homologous series of 1,1'-bis[4(4'-alkyloxy)benzaldimine]ferrocene dicarboxylates

A new series of ferrocene derivatives, 1,1'-bis[4(4'-alkyloxy) benzaldimine]ferrocene dicarboxylates, (FeESADCn, where the number of carbon atoms in the alkyloxy chain, n, varies from 4-12) have been synthesized. The thermal behaviour was investigated by means of polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All members of the series exhibit liquid-crystalline behaviour. While the shorter chain members exhibit a nematic mesophase, the longer chain members exhibit a smectic A mesophase. The electronic spectrum of the n = 7 member is also presented.     

Achiral banana-shaped mesogenic bidentate ligands and their Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes

The first achiral bent-core banana-shaped bidentate ligands and their Cu(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes have been synthesized and investigated for mesomorphic behaviour. The bidentate ligands exhibit only one enantiotropic mesophase. The ligand having C 6 -alkoxy chains shows a mesophase that has been assigned as a two-dimensional B 1 phase while the C 8 and C 10 homologues stabilize the fluid B 2 mesophase showing antiferroelectric switching characteristics. In constrast, their corresponding Cu(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes are non-mesomorphic.     

Achiral banana-shaped mesogenic bidentate ligands and their Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes

The first achiral bent-core banana-shaped bidentate ligands and their Cu(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes have been synthesized and investigated for mesomorphic behaviour. The bidentate ligands exhibit only one enantiotropic mesophase. The ligand having C6 -alkoxy chains shows a mesophase that has been assigned as a two-dimensional B1 phase while the C8 and C10 homologues stabilize the fluid B2 mesophase showing antiferroelectric switching characteristics. In constrast, their corresponding Cu(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes are non-mesomorphic.     

Nematic and smectic mesophases in a new series of Cu(II) organometallic complexes

The synthesis and the phase behaviour of a homologous series of copper, bis[N-[[4-[4-(alkoxy)benzoyloxy],2-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]-methanamino] complexes is reported. They all exhibit thermotropic mesomorphism. The thermal stability range of the mesophase decreases slightly with increasing length of the alkoxy terminals. With the onset of smectic mesomorphism, for alkoxy groups containing ten carbon atoms, the stability interval of the nematic phase decreases progressively so that the compound containing 14 carbon atoms in the alkoxy terminal chains exhibits only smectic mesomorphism. Optical texture analysis suggests the smectic C nature of the phase in all cases. The enthalpies for the liquid crystal-isotropic transition have been measured and they are comparatively low. Remarkably low values have also been measured for the melting enthalpies of the smectogenic members of the series. These are associated with solid phase polymorphism which is discussed briefly.     

The liquid-crystalline properties of bis[N-[[4-[4-(alkoxy)benzoyloxy]2-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]alkanamino] complexes of Cu(II), Pd(II) and Ni(II). A general view

The thermotropic liquid-crystalline phase behaviour of a homologous set of bis[N-[[4-[4-(alkoxy)benzoyloxy]2-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]alkanamino] copper(II) complexes is examined. New data are reported and taken into account in addition to those previously reported in this Journal. The influence of alkoxy and alkanamine groups on the nature and stability of the mesophase is underlined. As a general trend, with some notable exception, smectic (C type) mesomorphism is favoured by longer alkoxy and alkanamine chains. Data concerning some Pd(II) and Ni(II) homologous complexes are also reported. The mesophase stability (nematic phase) is higher for palladium and nickel complexes than for the copper containing homologues.     

Synthesis and Spectral Investigation of Some Transition Metal Complexes Containing Pentadentate Macroacyclic <Emphasis Type="Italic">NNNNN</Emphasis>-donor Schiff Base Ligands

A new Schiff base, 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(2-hydrazinobenzothiazole) (DPHB), has been designed, and synthesized by the condensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole, and structurally characterized. Copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), manganese(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes of DPHB have been synthesized for the first time. Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic properties, spectral (i.r., ¹H-n.m.r., u.v.–vis., e.p.r. and FAB-mass) and thermal studies. The complexes exhibit an octahedral geometry around the metal centre. The conductance data of all the complexes suggest them to be 1:1 electrolytes. The X-band e.p.r. spectra of the copper(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes in the polycrystalline state at room (300 K) and liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) were recorded and their salient features are reported. Thermal stabilities of the manganese(II) and zinc(II) complexes have been studied.     

Synthesis, molecular modeling, thermal and spectral studies of metal complexes of hydrazone derived from 5-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,3-thiazine-2,6(3H)-dione and thiosemicarbazide

Metal complexes with the general formula [ML(H2O)(CH3OH)x]·nH2O·(CH3OH)y(NO3)z [M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), VO(IV), Cr(III), Cd(II), Zn(II) or UO2(VI); x=0-2; y=0,1; z=0,1; n=0-2, 6 and L=hydrazone (H2L) derived from condensation of thiosemicarbazide with 5-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,3-thiazine-2,6(3H)-dione. The synthesized ligand and its metal complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, spectral and magnetic studies as well as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The deprotonated ligand acts as a dibasic tridentate (ONS) via phenolate oxygen, azomethine (CN), and thiolate (C-S) groups. Copper(II) complex exhibits square planar geometry. Nickel(II), chromium(III) and dioxouranium(VI) complexes exhibit octahedral geometry. Cobalt(II), cadmium(II) and zinc(II) complexes showed tetrahedral geometry, whereas oxovanadium(IV) reveals square pyramidal geometry. Thermal analysis are investigated and showed either three or four thermal decomposition steps. Kinetic parameters (Ea, A, ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) of the thermal decomposition stages have been evaluated using Coats-Redfern equations. The molecular parameters of the ligand and its metal complexes have been calculated and correlated with the experimental data such as IR and TGA results.     

Azomesogens containing an ethoxyethyl terminal chain: synthesis and characterization

Two homologous mesogenic series, the ethoxyethyl 4-(4'-n-alkoxyphenylazo)benzoates (I) and the ethoxyethyl [4-(4'-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)phenylazo]-4'-benzoates (II), both containing a terminal ethoxyethyl chain, have been synthesized. In series I, all nine members synthesized exhibit only an enantiotropic smectic A mesophase. In series II, all 12 homologues exhibit an enantiotropic nematic mesophase; a smectic A phase appears in the n-butyloxy derivative as a enantiotropic phase and persists through to the n-hexadecyloxy member. The mesomorphic properties of both series are compared with each other and also with the properties of other structurally related series to evaluate the effects of the ethoxyethyl chain on mesomorphism.     

Oxovanadium(IV), manganese(II) and manganese(III) carbodithioates exhibiting abnormal magnetic behaviour

Summary New carbodithioate complexes of the oxovanadium(IV), manganese(II) and manganese(III) ions have been prepared and studied by i.r. and electronic spectral and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility (77K to room temperature) measurements. The carbodithioate ligands, 4-methylpiperazine-1-carbodithioate (4-MPipzcdt) and 4-phenylpiperazine-1-carbodithioate (4-PPipzcdt), were derived from heterocyclic secondary amines. The VO(4-MPipzcdt)₂ and VO(4-PPipzcdt)₂ complexes possess C _4v symmetry; Mn(4-PPipzcdt)₂ is tetrahedral and Mn(4-PPipzcdt)₃ is octahedral. All exhibit abnormal room temperature magnetic moments and the variable temperature magnetic moments suggest antiferromagnetism for the oxovanadium(IV) and the manganese(II) complexes and the occurrence of low spin (³ T _1g ) high spin (⁵ E _g ) equilibrium in addition to antiferromagnetic interactions in the manganese(III) complex. The spin-spin exchange parameter (-2J) value for the VO(4-MPipzcdt)₂ complex has been calculated using variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data.     

Thermal behaviour of lanthanum(III) alkanoates

The mesophase behaviour of the lanthanum(III) alkanoates [La(C_xH_2x+1COO)₃] (x =3-19) has been investigated by hot-stage polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and high-temperature X-ray diffraction. Lanthanum(III) butyrate monohydrate shows no mesomorphism, whereas for the remaining short chain homologues (x = 4-9) a highly viscous mesophase M and a smectic A phase were observed. The longer chain lanthanum(III) soaps (x = 10-19) exhibit only a smectic A phase. However, the chain length has a pronounced effect on the transition temperatures. The thermal behaviour of lanthanum(III) alkanoates is compared with that of other lanthanide(III) alkanoates.